Rescue Me
By Roy Buchanan
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Track listing
Show track credits
- A1 Rescue Me 3:22
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writer
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writer
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- A2 I'm a Ram 3:28
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writer
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writer
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- A3 In the Beginning 2:22
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writer
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- A4 CC Ryder 6:03
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writer
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arranger
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- B1 Country Preacher 3:28
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writer
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- B2 You're Killing My Love 4:36
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writer
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writer
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- B3 She Can't Say No 5:28
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writer
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writer
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- B4 Wayfaring Pilgrim 5:07
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writer
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writer
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- Total length: 33:54
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
To rate, slide your finger across the stars from left to right.
4 Issues
- Release view [combined information for all issues]
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Rescue Me [p] 33 rpm
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In the Beginning 33 rpm
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Rescue Me Digipak, Remastered
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5 Reviews
The title is curious given it was the final studio album Roy Buchanan cut for Polydor Records. Produced by Ed Freeman the album was interesting, but uneven. The mix of popular covers and Buchanan originals offered up a good reflection of Polydor's marketing team's struggles over how to market Buchanan to a broader audience without completely diluting his musical strengths. Their questionable decision was to push Buchanan towards shorter, more mainstream material - hence the high number of covers. Buchanan was supported a strong backing band featuring keyboard player Neil Larsen, singer Billy Sheffield, drummer Billy Stewart, and bassist Kenny Tibbets. They were clearly comfortable playing with one another, but producer Freeman frequently overwhelmed the group's dynamic with needless production effects including chirpy female backing vocalists and the intrusive Tower of Power horns. The mix of popular covers and Buchanan originals was also offsetting. Mind you Buchanan exhibited good taste in his choice of covers - Fontella Bass, Al Green, xxx, but on many of those commercial oriented sides Buchanan sounded detached from the proceedings. No matter what Polydor executives hoped to accomplish, the fact of the matter is Buchanan was never going to be a top-40 pop act.
Who understands the marketing maturations, but the album was released in Europe under the title "Rescue Me" (Polydor catalog number 2391 152). Same cover art; same track listing; same track order. Just a different title.
Who understands the marketing maturations, but the album was released in Europe under the title "Rescue Me" (Polydor catalog number 2391 152). Same cover art; same track listing; same track order. Just a different title.
"In the Beginning" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Rescue Me (Carl Smith - Raynard Miner) - 3:22 rating: **** stars
If you grew up listening to the Fontella Bass hit version of 'Rescue Me' it remains the standard to compare all covers against. With Billy Sheffield on vocals, Kenny Tibbetts on bass (he turned in an amazing performance) and backing from The Tower of Power horns, musically Buchanan's cover didn't really mess with the original. Curiously, Buchanan didn't make his presence know for the first minute of the song; though when he kicked in you immediately knew it. Still, it was a strange opener with the spotlight not really on Buchanan's telecaster. Extra star for covering a soul classic. The track was released as a promotional single in the States and as a stock released throughout Europe:
- 1974's 'Rescue Me' b/w 'I'm a Ram' (Polydor catalog number PD 14265)
2.) I'm a Ram (Mabon Hodges - Al Greene) - 3:28 rating: **** stars
Similar to 'Recue Me', Al Green's original is the standard barer, but Buchanan and company give it their all on the cover. Once again you get Billy Sheffield on vocals, Kenny Tibbetts on bass, and The Tower of Power horns. The difference is Buchanan sounded more engaged with the track turning in a pair of short, but mesmerizing solos. Tibbett's churning bass steals the show this time around. Buchanan covered the song again on his "Live Stock" album.
3.) In the Beginning (instrumental) Roy Buchanan) - 2:22 rating: **** stars
Opening up with Neil Larsen's classically-tinged synthesizer washes, 'In the Beginning' sounded like a prototype for much of Mark Knopfler's career. The "Local Hero" soundtrack comes to mind. A beautiful, atmospheric piece, this one's permanently parked itself in my memory banks.
4.) CC Ryder (arranged by Roy Buchanan) - 6:03 rating: *** stars
The first mild disappointment, slowing 'CC Ryder' to a crawl, slapping irritating female backing singers, and stretching it out over six months didn't strengthen the tune. Yes, it gave Buchanan and opportunity to stretch out, but I'll admit to missing the energy in the Chuck Willis, Bobby Powell, or Mitch Ryder covers.
(side 2)
1.) Country Preacher (instrumental) (Joe Zawinul) - 3:28 rating: **** stars
Other than losing the extended Cannonball Adderley sax solo (enter The Tower of Power horns), Buchanan's arrangement really didn't mess with the song's pastoral, soulful spirit. It's actually a nice arrangement showcasing how melodic his country-soul playing could be. Kind of a Clarence Carter vibe to the tune.
2.) You're Killing My Love (Nick Gravenites - MIchael Bloomfield) - 4:36 rating: *** stars
Buchanan's cover is nice, but go with the Otis Rush version.
3.) She Can't Say No (Bill Sheffield - Roy Buchanan) - 5:28 rating: *** stars
Co-written with singer Bill Sheffield, 'She Can't Say No' was one of the few tracks that recalled Buchanan's earlier blues-rock effort across the three earlier Polydor studio sets.
4.) Wayfairing Pilgrim (instrumental) (Ed Freeman - Roy Buchanan) - 5:07 rating: **** stars
Not sure why Buchanan elected to retitle 'Wayfairing Stranger' and 'Wayfairing Pilgrim, but the result was one of his prettiest performances. Showcasing his unique "crying guitar" tones, this one might make you cry. Simply beautiful. YouTube has numerous live performances of the song, but the best video and sound quality is found on an appearance on the German Rockpalast television program: Roy Buchanan - Live at Rockpalast - Wayfaring Pilgrim - YouTube
(side 1)
1.) Rescue Me (Carl Smith - Raynard Miner) - 3:22 rating: **** stars
If you grew up listening to the Fontella Bass hit version of 'Rescue Me' it remains the standard to compare all covers against. With Billy Sheffield on vocals, Kenny Tibbetts on bass (he turned in an amazing performance) and backing from The Tower of Power horns, musically Buchanan's cover didn't really mess with the original. Curiously, Buchanan didn't make his presence know for the first minute of the song; though when he kicked in you immediately knew it. Still, it was a strange opener with the spotlight not really on Buchanan's telecaster. Extra star for covering a soul classic. The track was released as a promotional single in the States and as a stock released throughout Europe:
- 1974's 'Rescue Me' b/w 'I'm a Ram' (Polydor catalog number PD 14265)
2.) I'm a Ram (Mabon Hodges - Al Greene) - 3:28 rating: **** stars
Similar to 'Recue Me', Al Green's original is the standard barer, but Buchanan and company give it their all on the cover. Once again you get Billy Sheffield on vocals, Kenny Tibbetts on bass, and The Tower of Power horns. The difference is Buchanan sounded more engaged with the track turning in a pair of short, but mesmerizing solos. Tibbett's churning bass steals the show this time around. Buchanan covered the song again on his "Live Stock" album.
3.) In the Beginning (instrumental) Roy Buchanan) - 2:22 rating: **** stars
Opening up with Neil Larsen's classically-tinged synthesizer washes, 'In the Beginning' sounded like a prototype for much of Mark Knopfler's career. The "Local Hero" soundtrack comes to mind. A beautiful, atmospheric piece, this one's permanently parked itself in my memory banks.
4.) CC Ryder (arranged by Roy Buchanan) - 6:03 rating: *** stars
The first mild disappointment, slowing 'CC Ryder' to a crawl, slapping irritating female backing singers, and stretching it out over six months didn't strengthen the tune. Yes, it gave Buchanan and opportunity to stretch out, but I'll admit to missing the energy in the Chuck Willis, Bobby Powell, or Mitch Ryder covers.
(side 2)
1.) Country Preacher (instrumental) (Joe Zawinul) - 3:28 rating: **** stars
Other than losing the extended Cannonball Adderley sax solo (enter The Tower of Power horns), Buchanan's arrangement really didn't mess with the song's pastoral, soulful spirit. It's actually a nice arrangement showcasing how melodic his country-soul playing could be. Kind of a Clarence Carter vibe to the tune.
2.) You're Killing My Love (Nick Gravenites - MIchael Bloomfield) - 4:36 rating: *** stars
Buchanan's cover is nice, but go with the Otis Rush version.
3.) She Can't Say No (Bill Sheffield - Roy Buchanan) - 5:28 rating: *** stars
Co-written with singer Bill Sheffield, 'She Can't Say No' was one of the few tracks that recalled Buchanan's earlier blues-rock effort across the three earlier Polydor studio sets.
4.) Wayfairing Pilgrim (instrumental) (Ed Freeman - Roy Buchanan) - 5:07 rating: **** stars
Not sure why Buchanan elected to retitle 'Wayfairing Stranger' and 'Wayfairing Pilgrim, but the result was one of his prettiest performances. Showcasing his unique "crying guitar" tones, this one might make you cry. Simply beautiful. YouTube has numerous live performances of the song, but the best video and sound quality is found on an appearance on the German Rockpalast television program: Roy Buchanan - Live at Rockpalast - Wayfaring Pilgrim - YouTube
Published
PD-6035 Vinyl LP (1974)
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Definitely, one of his best. The instrumental tracks are really great.
Published
Masterful playing wrenching everything out of a battered telecaster...
Published
PD-6035 Vinyl LP (1974)
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A1
Rescue Me
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A2 I'm a Ram
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A3 In the Beginning
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A4 CC Ryder
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B1 Country Preacher
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B2 You're Killing My Love
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B3 She Can't Say No
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B4 Wayfaring Pilgrim
Published
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Catalog
2 Feb 2024
-
A1
Rescue Me
-
A2
I'm a Ram
-
A3
In the Beginning
-
A4
CC Ryder
-
B1
Country Preacher
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B2
You're Killing My Love
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B3
She Can't Say No
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B4
Wayfaring Pilgrim
20 Jan 2024
8 Jan 2024
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A1
Rescue Me
-
A2
I'm a Ram
-
A3
In the Beginning
-
A4
CC Ryder
-
B1
Country Preacher
-
B2
You're Killing My Love
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B3
She Can't Say No
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B4
Wayfaring Pilgrim
1 Dec 2023
20 Oct 2023
12 Sep 2023
18 Aug 2023
16 Aug 2023
27 May 2023
23 Mar 2023
16 Mar 2023
7 Feb 2023
7 Dec 2022
30 Nov 2022
28 Nov 2022
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1 Rescue Me
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2
I'm a Ram
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3 In the Beginning
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4 CC Ryder
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5
Country Preacher
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6 You're Killing My Love
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7 She Can't Say No
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8
Wayfairing Pilgrim